‘Shock’ Two Current Teachers Install Hidden Cameras in Women’s Restroom

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Ju Cheol-in] Amid the discovery that a current teacher at A High School in Gimhae, Gyeongnam installed a hidden camera in the girls' restroom, it has come to light that another current teacher at B School in Gyeongnam also installed a hidden camera in the staff-only women's restroom, causing the scandal to spread.

According to the Gyeongnam Provincial Office of Education on the 9th, an illegal filming camera was found last month on the 24th in a traditional toilet in the first-floor girls' restroom of a high school in Gimhae, Gyeongnam.

The camera was reportedly discovered about two minutes after being installed by a cleaning worker who was cleaning the restroom at the time.

The police identified a current teacher in his 40s, Mr. A, at the school after reviewing the school's closed-circuit television (CCTV) and booked him on charges of violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes.

Mr. A initially denied installing the illegal camera but admitted to the related charges after the CCTV was reviewed.

Additionally, a large number of hidden camera videos presumed to have been taken in restrooms and shower rooms of other schools were found on Mr. A’s confiscated mobile phone and other devices. The teacher had even installed a high-definition waterproof GoPro (action cam) camera to secretly film in restrooms.

The police applied for an arrest warrant for Mr. A, and a pre-arrest detention hearing was held at Changwon District Court on the same day. The decision on whether to detain Mr. A is expected to be finalized late in the afternoon.

On the 26th of last month, an illegal filming camera installed in a traditional toilet in the second-floor girls' restroom of a middle school in Changnyeong was discovered by a staff member. It was confirmed that the camera was found about three hours after being installed.

Following the start of the police investigation, Mr. B, a teacher in his 30s at the school, turned himself in on the 29th of last month, admitting to being the perpetrator. The police booked Mr. B without detention on charges of violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes.

At the time, the school was conducting online classes due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), so the Provincial Office of Education believes there was no student victimization.

The Provincial Office of Education has suspended Mr. A and Mr. B from their positions and deployed substitute instructors to the respective schools. Additionally, by the end of this month, a full inspection of all schools in the province will be conducted using illegal filming camera detection equipment. Other follow-up measures include operating an emergency digital sexual violence task force, providing victim counseling, and strengthening gender-sensitivity education for staff.

An official from the Provincial Office of Education stated, “Regarding this hidden camera incident, to prevent secondary damage to staff, information about the accused teachers and schools cannot be disclosed,” and added, “We will form an emergency digital sexual violence task force to prepare comprehensive support measures for schools and actively promote them.”